unabashed greed
The RIAA is now threatening to cut iTunes off if Apple doesn’t raise the cost of select songs (ie popular ones that they can gouge listeners for) and give them a cut of their iPod sales! That is simply the greediest thought I’ve ever heard anybody admit to, let alone say out loud and publically!
The RIAA’s argument is that iTunes sales (and therefore, the RIAA’s music) is what is driving the sale of iPods. All evidence points to the other way around. Which means that the RIAA’s argument is like the power companies demanding a cut of all appliance sales, or Exxon demanding a cut of all car sales.
Not to mention their original demand, of raising the cost of select songs. Remember, this is an industry that has already lost a price gouging court battle. The problem is, the restitution in that battle was worth less than the money they made off of the price gouging in the first place!